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Finally getting mom an iPad!

likemyorbs

likemyorbs

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Jul 20, 2008
1,956
5
NJ
Now we all know mothers day was a week ago, but my family tends to celebrate a lot of holidays on the wrong day. This tuesday we will be celebrating mothers day. My sister and I decided to buy our mom a white 16GB iPad 3. Now keep in mind this woman is a computer programmer, but she works on mainframe and is completely technologically handicapped. Anyway, what's the best way to make sure she has a really good first ipad experience? My sister wants to get her a keyboard case, which i think totally defeats the purpose of a tablet. I suggested we just buy a Smart Cover like i have on mine, but we decided that our mom is too much of a klutz and needs better protection than that. Also, which apps should i start her with? Obviously i know the givens (dating site apps, Skype, set up her email), but what apps would dazzle a new user? Oh, also keep in mind she's not really old, she's 52. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Happy belated mothers day to any moms who read this!
 
If someone is only 52 and works as a programmer, but is technologically impaired, is an iPad really a good idea?

Will she actually enjoy it and get good use out of it, or will it be an exercise in frustration?

Does she like to read? Music? Find apps that reflect her interests and it may engage her. Does she currently use a desk-or-laptop computer for email, etc web, etc?
 
I'm your mom's age, apps I love so far Flipboard, PBS, ABC player, Netflix, Paper, Air Hockey Gold, iPhoto, the TED player,HBO GO & Pandora. I also love the National Geographic interactive magazine, which is well worth $19.99 per year to subscribe.
 
Geekbabe said:
I'm your mom's age, apps I love so far Flipboard, PBS, ABC player, Netflix, Paper, Air Hockey Gold, iPhoto, the TED player,HBO GO & Pandora. I also love the National Geographic interactive magazine, which is well worth $19.99 per year to subscribe.
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I'm a couple of years older than the OP's mother - but I've owned computers for 30 years and love tech. She doesn't
 
NewbieCanada said:
I'm a couple of years older than the OP's mother - but I've owned computers for 30 years and love tech. She doesn't
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The OP asked what apps a woman of 52 might like, I answered him. His Mom might also come to love tech once she has something to look at that doesn't bore the hell out of her.
 
NewbieCanada said:
If someone is only 52 and works as a programmer, but is technologically impaired, is an iPad really a good idea?

Will she actually enjoy it and get good use out of it, or will it be an exercise in frustration?

Does she like to read? Music? Find apps that reflect her interests and it may engage her. Does she currently use a desk-or-laptop computer for email, etc web, etc?
Click to expand...

She will enjoy it once she really gets some time with it. Also, we didn't get the idea from nowhere, she was considering buying one for herself a couple of months ago but the credit card bill was obscenely high that month so she decided to postpone it a month or two. No better time than now! Also, yes she will be doing plenty of reading and listening to music on her ipad. Her vision is kind of crappy so i figured the retina display would be great for her so she can zoom in and make letters really big and they still stay sharp. She has her windows 7 desktop that she uses for email, web browsing, and sometimes working on the mainframe from home but thats rare. Most of the things she uses a desktop for would be much more comfortable for her on the ipad once she gives it a chance. No longer will she have to lean in toward the screen to read the letters on it. Yes, i know you can zoom in windows 7, but it's obviously much easier and more natural on an ipad.
 
I got my mom the iPad 1 a few weeks after it was released and she's loved it ever since, first tech product she 's really enjoyed using. At the beginning she didn't think she needed it but it grew on her very quickly to the point of being insuperable from it now. I am sure your mom will love it too. :)
 
Pulse, Netflix, Kindle, Weatherbug, Fairway Solitaire, App Advisor, Trip Advisor, Yelp, Waze, Google Earth, Flixster, Paprika.
 
likemyorbs said:
She will enjoy it once she really gets some time with it. Also, we didn't get the idea from nowhere, she was considering buying one for herself a couple of months ago but the credit card bill was obscenely high that month so she decided to postpone it a month or two. No better time than now! Also, yes she will be doing plenty of reading and listening to music on her ipad. Her vision is kind of crappy so i figured the retina display would be great for her so she can zoom in and make letters really big and they still stay sharp. She has her windows 7 desktop that she uses for email, web browsing, and sometimes working on the mainframe from home but thats rare. Most of the things she uses a desktop for would be much more comfortable for her on the ipad once she gives it a chance. No longer will she have to lean in toward the screen to read the letters on it. Yes, i know you can zoom in windows 7, but it's obviously much easier and more natural on an ipad.
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My dad is 87, has very poor vision, but loves to read on the iPad. He has gone from reading one paper book a month to one every week because he has no eyestrain from reading on the iPad.

I had to really push him to get the iPad, money is not a problem, he just doesn't like to be wasteful with it. He thanks me now for pushing him to get the iPad and says he couldn't get by without it.

I am a bit older than your mom, but started programming mainframes in the 70's, but I was also interested in the tech part. If your mom likes National Geographic, the iPad App version of it is EXCELLENT. Netflix is great, I also enjoy audio books on the iPad.
 
I got my mom the new iPad a day before mothers day. She was exited because it suits her well with her job and also my mom is only 34 so she has Facebook and watches porn too. I didn't really had to teach her anything about the iPad. She's owned an iPhone for two years now.
 
GeorgieAcevedo said:
I got my mom the new iPad a day before mothers day. She was exited because it suits her well with her job and also my mom is only 34 so she has Facebook and watches porn too. I didn't really had to teach her anything about the iPad. She's owned an iPhone for two years now.
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Lmao ....TMI
 
GeorgieAcevedo said:
My apologies.
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You probably should apologize to her for telling a bunch of strangers her viewing habits. :D

To the OP, finding your mother's interests and using that as a guide in choosing apps for her is, in my opinion, the best advice if you want to "wow" her.
 
NewbieCanada said:
If someone is only 52 and works as a programmer, but is technologically impaired, is an iPad really a good idea?

Will she actually enjoy it and get good use out of it, or will it be an exercise in frustration?

Does she like to read? Music? Find apps that reflect her interests and it may engage her. Does she currently use a desk-or-laptop computer for email, etc web, etc?
Click to expand...

You definitely don't need to be technologically inclined to use an iPad, they are simple devices which is why they are such a huge appeal to the general public. Its not like Windows or a full blown operating system like Linux where you have so many features you don't know where to start, instead its a simplified operating system that gets rid of the power user features and keeps it simple. I'm not saying this in a bad way.

If my mother can run (67) and use the iPad almost right out the gate then ANYONE can use it. My mother is a pain in the ass when it comes to Windows computers as I have to go over it and fix any hiccups or problems she runs across. She hasn't had a single problem operating the iPad other than asking me how to close programs she's been fine on her own.

Congrats OP, not sure I understand such negativity here. My mother loves the iPad.
 
likemyorbs said:
Now we all know mothers day was a week ago, but my family tends to celebrate a lot of holidays on the wrong day. This tuesday we will be celebrating mothers day. My sister and I decided to buy our mom a white 16GB iPad 3. Now keep in mind this woman is a computer programmer, but she works on mainframe and is completely technologically handicapped. Anyway, what's the best way to make sure she has a really good first ipad experience? My sister wants to get her a keyboard case, which i think totally defeats the purpose of a tablet. I suggested we just buy a Smart Cover like i have on mine, but we decided that our mom is too much of a klutz and needs better protection than that. Also, which apps should i start her with? Obviously i know the givens (dating site apps, Skype, set up her email), but what apps would dazzle a new user? Oh, also keep in mind she's not really old, she's 52. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Happy belated mothers day to any moms who read this!
Click to expand...

if you want her to truly enjoy it then get her a 32GB iPad 3 at minimum.....16GB is honestly too less, because even your mom will fill it up fast due to the app size increases over the past few months thanks to the retina display. Oh and she will also be able to enjoy it without stressing about space jus down the road.
 
Satnam1989 said:
if you want her to truly enjoy it then get her a 32GB iPad 3 at minimum.....16GB is honestly too less, because even your mom will fill it up fast due to the app size increases over the past few months thanks to the retina display. Oh and she will also be able to enjoy it without stressing about space jus down the road.
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X2 I agree, the 16gb should have been dropped this year and have had a 128 gb version at the top. We're talking the capacity of the ipod nano which is a music only device.

The only reason to get the 16 gb model is if it is going to be used mostly as a web browser and moderate app consumption. If each app is 100mb this will provide space for about ~140 apps (many are smaller than 100mb and some are much larger especially retina apps and graphic intensive games), not counting the fluctuation of temp files from the web browser and apps, as well as assuming most apps are non-retina and that no other media will be stored on the device.

As long as videos and large apps won't be used then 16gb should be good, otherwise I'd be spending the extra 100 for the 32.
 
iEvolution said:
X2 I agree, the 16gb should have been dropped this year and have had a 128 gb version at the top. We're talking the capacity of the ipod nano which is a music only device.

The only reason to get the 16 gb model is if it is going to be used mostly as a web browser and moderate app consumption. If each app is 100mb this will provide space for about ~140 apps (many are smaller than 100mb and some are much larger especially retina apps and graphic intensive games), not counting the fluctuation of temp files from the web browser and apps, as well as assuming most apps are non-retina and that no other media will be stored on the device.

As long as videos and large apps won't be used then 16gb should be good, otherwise I'd be spending the extra 100 for the 32.
Click to expand...

ya I'm sure that most mom's like to keep photos(which are 2-6MB on average now days especially if taken from a iPhone 4/4S) on such devices as the iPad, so 32GB honestly will be still the better choice no matter what the size of the apps she plans to use....16GB don't forget u only get about 13.5GB to use....and IOS6 is only going to decrease the available capacity little more..... I too wish apple had dropped the 16GB model this year....and added the 128GB but with the given increase in size of iOS and apps we should definitely see the higher capacity in the next gen iPad.
 
TheWheelMan said:
You probably should apologize to her for telling a bunch of strangers her viewing habits. :D

To the OP, finding your mother's interests and using that as a guide in choosing apps for her is, in my opinion, the best advice if you want to "wow" her.
Click to expand...

Even tho she watches porn I don't think she reads these kind of forums lol
 
How about one of these covers? Pick the color that suits her the best. I dare say you can't go wrong! :)

Case

Now, there's probably cheaper ones on eBay, with free shipping too, but I just did a quick search.
 
OP, your mother is going to love the new iPad. The clear, crisp text display makes this device worth every penny, being able to read books, magazines & websites for hours without eye strain is a great big deal!

Plus, once you give her the iPad you are all set for future gift giving as an iTunes gift card will be hugely appreciated :D
 
Update: My mom and her iPad are inseparable. She's all but abandoned her windows 7 pc. Best mothers day gift EVER.
 
likemyorbs said:
Update: My mom and her iPad are inseparable. She's all but abandoned her windows 7 pc. Best mothers day gift EVER.
Click to expand...

I gave my brother (for Xmas) my iPad1 (64/3G) with all those cases/covers/etc... I brought for it and now he doesn't even touch his PC anymore. I was using it as my nightstand clock while my iPad2 traveled with me dayly to work. By-the-way...Zaggfolio is by far the best case I have ever used, all the rest were wasted money.
 
My Dad is 76 and pretty much technologically inept. My most dreaded phone calls or texts begin with the words "I don't know what I did, but....". I thought the iPad might be less frustrating for him, so I discussed it with him and he was agreeable about it. When I got the new iPad, I gave him my iPad 2. After a few days, he was wizzing right along. My Mom says that he's addicted to it.
 
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